Should we worry about COVID-19?
Everywhere we turn coronavirus is in the news alarming the public. Cases are increasing in the United States and some publications advise how to prevent it.
NBC news said in part, that business leaders should start considering which employees could work from home. Perhaps the time will come, and other experts said, to observe religious practices and ceremonies at home, rather than attend larger community gatherings at places of worship. And families should start asking themselves how they would handle a week or two at home, without traveling even short distances for food, medicine or entertainment.
To me, that sounds alarming but considering the risk, it’s good advice. If you plan on getting a mask, don’t bother. There are none at any drugstore or chain store and a vaccine will take over one year to be perfected for human dispensation.
Meanwhile, the only acknowledgment we’ve heard from our city officials is that Lawrence is at a low risk. Even though, there is nothing wrong with preparing for the worst.
Nancy Messonnier, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases indicated that parents/guardians of students should ask their children’s schools about plans for closures associated with a possibility of coronavirus spreading to our community. She warned that it expects the coronavirus that has sparked outbreaks around the world to begin spreading at a community level in the United States, as a top official said that disruptions to daily life could be severe.
Is there a plan or do parents/guardians take the initiative to not send a student to school on the onset of knowing of the first case that occurs in Lawrence?
There is a very informative article from the Center for Disease Control on page 13 with information about prevention that I recommend you read.
It’s all who you know
Let me tell you another story of manipulation in Lawrence.
Last summer, MassHire posted a position for assistant director and I immediately wondered who the lucky friend of Mayor Danny picked for that was. The requirement was a bachelor’s degree and the salary in the $60s. Apparently, there were so many well-qualified individuals that they opted for canceling the search with the excuse of “not having the funding.”
I was disappointed because there had to be something else behind and sure enough by November, a new position was created. The Outreach Coordinator also had the bachelor’s requirement and a salary in the mid $50s. There were a few applicants interviewed and guess who was picked? Wendy Luzón! The flunkie high school graduate who lied in the past about having a college degree.
The position was created for her and the assistant director job is still empty. I bet she’ll be promoted soon.
Also, the Lawrence City Council advised the mayor against transferring Lourdes Alvarado, the bilingual elections coordinator to the Water Department until after the upcoming elections.
Yes, she got a promotion and a secure job with protection from the SEIU.
Back in January, the mayor concocted the plan of the transfer and posted the position in the Elections Department on January 27th. This created a huge problem for City Clerk Bill Maloney because the city is under a mandate from the Secretary of State to have a minimum of four employees in the Elections Department.
Fortunately, the City Council stopped the move until after the March 3 elections.
Deserving honors?
A group in Lynnfield will be recognizing Lina Montesino as Inspirational Woman 2020 in the category Outstanding Politician.
I am confused because Celina Reyes has been a city councilor for two months and so far has done nothing to deserve any recognition. Keep in mind that is her alias Lina Montesino who is being congratulated and I have no idea what she has done to earn it.
Speaking of Celina, there’s a controversy going on regarding 27 gas tanks found on the Spicket River, near Greater Lawrence Family Health Center.
Nelson Silvestre sent Councilor at-Large Ana Levy a few pictures of the tanks and she contacted Mike Armano, director of Inspectional Services. She then went to the site with inspector Horacio Rodriguez.
From there, the Fire Department took action removing them for being potentially dangerous. The pictures seen on Facebook were taken by the Fire Department and sent to all city councilors and Celina took credit for notifying DPW.
